Volume 15, Issue 1
Defending Champ Keeps GNCC Crown PAGE 12
ATVRiders.com
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
Chris Borich Holds On
INSIDE
DEPARTMENTS
FEATURES
04 News
08 Where to Ride: Rockhouse Trail System at Hatfield-McCoy
14 Marketplace and Calendar
12 Racing
09 Winterizing Your ATV 10 Big Brother Is Watching
THE ATV NEWS TEAM: Bill Kresnak, Editor • Halley Immelt, Designer
SNAPSHOT
Kevin Trantham (Can-Am X-Team) put his Renegade 800R X xc in the winners’ circle at the Ironman GNCC in Indiana, giving him nine podiums and four wins on the year in the first 4x4 Pro class standings. Photo courtesy of Can-Am.
Want to share a photo? Send it with your name to editor@atvaonline.com.
2 January/February 2015
was untouchable. They were wrong. Lawmakers took millions and millions of dollars from the fund by calling their actions a “loan.” On one occasion in Iowa, lawmakers took $775,000 from the state’s OHV program to balance the state budget. This came as a complete surprise to riders, who for years had paid registration fees on their ATVs and off-highway motorcycles knowing the money was earmarked for a special fund to build and maintain OHV riding areas. But thanks to the tenacity of outraged Iowa riders, lawmakers eventually paid the money back. In Florida, lawmakers took more than $4 million over a couple of years from the state’s OHV fund. That money came from a $29 title fee on off-highway vehicles. And not long ago in Washington state, lawmakers approved the transfer of $9.5 million from the OHV program to fund the state parks and recreation department, prompting a lawsuit by angry riders. As state citizens, riders are willing to do their fair share to balance state budgets. But lawmakers need to recognize that we are already paying
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
The elections are over and new state legislative sessions are about to begin. Governors and lawmakers can get very creative By Wayne Allard when they need AMA vice president for government relations to find money to fund programs. One place they look to get money is from funds that were set aside to build and maintain ATV trails. With that in mind, it’s important to note that ATV riders need to be on guard in their states to help protect money that’s earmarked for off-highway vehicle riding areas and trails. In the past, these special funds have been repeatedly raided by lawmakers in misguided efforts to balance state budgets. For example, New Mexico lawmakers proposed that some $500,000 in an OHV fund be transferred to a different department to promote eco-tourism. Fortunately, the proposal failed. In another case, California riders thought their off-highway money
extra for our trail programs. We pay the normal taxes and fees that all other citizens pay, and more to fund public trails. These trail programs were created by riders for riders. So lawmakers should seriously consider alternatives instead of decimating these programs. What can you do as a rider and a voter in your state? Let your state lawmakers know early and often that trail construction and maintenance funds should be off-limits in any discussions about balancing state budgets. Get active. Become involved politically at the beginning of your state’s legislative session and work to ensure that your trail program monies aren’t taken. Get to know your lawmakers and let them know that raiding those funds is simply unacceptable to you and everyone who rides in your state. Also, take advantage of the great tools available to help you protect your right to ride by going to www. atvaonline.com. Just click on the “Rights” section and then “Get Involved” to find a variety of resources to help you. Questions? Write to us at grassroots@ ama-cycle.org.
Ryan Williams
Guard Against Raids
ON TRACK January/February 2015 3
NEWS ‘Great Trails’ Guidebook To Be Available Early This Year
Walker Fowler
AMA Teams With U.S. Forest Service To Produce ‘Don’t Ruin The Ride’ Videos The AMA and the U.S. Forest Service’s Wayne National Forest have jointly produced two YouTube videos promoting safe and responsible offroad motorcycling. The videos encourage riders to stay on designated trails, offer courtesy to other trail users, obtain all the required permits, stay sober and resist the urge to race each other while trail riding. “We were very happy to be able to work on this project with the U.S. Forest Service and, particularly, with our neighbors at the Wayne National Forest,” says AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Responsible off-road riding helps prevent damage to the forest and the trails, helps ensure continued access to public lands and makes the experience safer for us and for other trail riders. It benefits everyone involved.” Land managers at the Wayne National Forest—the largest offhighway-vehicle trail system in Ohio—say they are optimistic that the video will encourage riders to ride responsibly, while being mindful of natural resources. The Wayne National Forest covers almost a quarter of a million acres of Appalachian foothills in Southeastern Ohio. “It was great to be able to partner with the AMA to develop the educational videos,” said Chad Wilberger, Wayne’s recreation program manager. “We hope these videos will help motorized trail riders understand that riding safely and responsibly is part of having an enjoyable riding experience.”
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One video (http://youtu.be/ OjcXivy3b8c) features Walker Fowler, who finished second in the XC1 ATV class in the 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship. “When I ride the Nationals, I go all out,” Walker says in the video. “When I trail (ride) with my friends, we take it easy. We know that if we tear up the trails we could lose access to public lands. There’s a time to race. And there’s a time to ride... Stay on the trail. Ride legally. Be safe. And keep our trails open.” The second video (http://youtu.be/ oEWOz6GvoYY) features Dingman, AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey and AMA Chief Financial Officer Bruce Moffat at Wayne National Forest riding with some family members. The messages in that video include: • Using the right equipment • Obtaining the proper permits and registrations • Staying on the designated trail • Extending courtesy to other riders • Never drinking alcohol when riding “Stay safe. Ride smart. Don’t ruin the ride,” the narrator urges. Funding for the videos was made available from the Recreational Trails Program, an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
A new guidebook called “Great Trails—A Guide to Providing Quality OHV Trail Experiences” will soon be available from the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council. “Great Trails” is being developed by NOHVCC and written by a core team of consultants. Funded by a wide range of OHV industry partners, it should be available in the early part of 2015. The guidebook will offer guidance on how to take an idea for an OHV trail through the planning process, then AMA Trails Atlas into design and construction, If you’re looking using proven for a place to principles and ride, then check techniques to out the AMA ensure the trail Trails Atlas by offers riders logging into the an outstanding AMA website at recreational www.american experience motorcyclist. while also being com/riding/ environmentally RecreationAreas. and Just select your economically state and it will sustainable. populate a list The book will of riding areas benefit to the and provide you OHV clubs and with information associations, about each one. state and federal agencies, and business leaders who want information about putting a trail in their area to increase tourism, and to local leaders who wish to improve the OHV riding in their communities. Contributors to the book include the AMA, the Arizona State Parks, the Bureau of Land Management, the Federal Highway Administration, Idaho State Parks and Recreation, the International Off-Highway Vehicle Administrators Association, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Maryland State Highway Administration and the Maine Department of Conservation. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Montana State Parks, New Mexico Game and Fish, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Utah State Parks also contributed. For more information on “Great Trails,” go to www.greatohvtrails.com.
news
Tread Lightly! Celebrates ‘RIDE ON Utah’ Tread Lightly! celebrated the second anniversary of the “RIDE ON Utah” campaign on National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27. Working closely with campaign partners, Tread Lightly! has worked to keep nearly 4,000 miles of motorized trails across 1.8 million acres in Utah open to the public. The RIDE ON Utah campaign was launched in 2012 in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, federal Bureau of Land Management, Utah’s Division of State Parks and Recreation, Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration and Tread Lightly! to communicate consistent messaging across boundaries promoting the ethical and
Boy Scouts Present Polaris With Special Print Polaris Industries Inc. has received a one-of-a-kind print from the Boy Scouts of America in appreciation for its commitment to a 10-year partnership to provide age-appropriate vehicles, safety equipment and safety instruction to BSA camps across the nation. This token of appreciation was presented during a special ceremony at Polaris’ 60th anniversary celebration held in Minneapolis. The original print was presented to Polaris Chairman and CEO Scott Wine and Polaris President and COO Bennett Morgan during the ceremony. The artwork was created by awardwinning artist Greg Newbold, who also has created cover art for several issues of BSA’s Boys Life and Scouting Life magazines. Vehicles provided through the program include the easy-to-use Phoenix 200s and Sportsman 570 EXTs. As part of the donation, Polaris will provide models as needed and replace older units over time to ensure that Scouts always have the most up-todate and age-appropriate vehicles available. Polaris says that this partnership with BSA builds on Polaris’ strong history of supporting youth-focused off-road vehicle safety programs.
Wayne National Forest In Ohio Launches MobileBased Tour The Wayne National Forest in Ohio has launched a new mobile-based tour intended to better connect visitors with National Forest System land in southeast Ohio. Thirty-nine sites around the Wayne National Forest now have tour stops that can be viewed with either a desktop computer or a mobile device. Using special mapping tools, each featured stop has pictures, text, audio and videos. Access the tour by visiting the Wayne National Forest Mobile Tour or http://myoncell.mobi/tours.php?acct_ num=17402492008. To access the tour using a mobile phone, dial (740) 249-2008 and follow the prompts. When you enter a specific stop number, you will hear a recorded message for that site. The Wayne National Forest joins two other forests, the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado and the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois, as U.S. Forest Service pilot locations using the new mobile platform. To learn more about the Wayne National Forest tour, stop by any of the forest’s three Ohio offices, in Nelsonville, Pedro and Marietta. To learn more about the Wayne National Forest, visit www. fs.usda.gov/waynenf.
Illinois Considering Motorized Trails The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently held a meeting of a working/ advisory group to assist with siting and establishing the first state-owned off-highway-vehicle trail system. The group includes Jay Hall from AMA District 17 (central, western Illinois), representatives of ABATE of Illinois, members of the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources, the Mississippi Valley Hunters, the Fisherman’s Association, the Sierra Club, IDNR personnel including Director Marc Miller and staff from the AMA office in Washington, D.C. An IDNR study found that hunting is allowed on 84 percent of the nearly 475,000 acres the agency manages, yet not a single acre of OHV-approved land exists. This despite the obvious demand from the owners of more than 300,000
January/February 2015 5
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. employees and volunteers returned to the San Bernardino National Forest in California for the seventh straight year in September to plant shrubs and clean up off-highway-vehicle areas. They were joined by members of the U.S. Forest Service and Southern California Mountains Foundation. More than 40 volunteers, including Yamaha employees, their friends and family members, contributed more than 200 hours over a weekend. Their mission: Help restore and rehabilitate misused and neglected areas of Coxey Meadow, a busy family recreation area enjoyed by thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year. Their work resulted in the planting and watering of more than 450 native shrubs including sagebrush, rabbit brush and buckwheat, and slashing activities within the 60-acre area. Yamaha’s volunteer event was part of ongoing efforts by the SCMF Urban Conservation Corps who have been working with the USFS to rehabilitate miles of unauthorized trails and promote responsible recreation.
legal use of motorized vehicles on public lands. Utah’s Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox recently joined representatives from those organizations for an ATV ride in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest to discuss the RIDE ON Utah program. He challenged Utah’s 250,000-plus off-highway-vehicle owners to join him in riding safely and responsibly on designated routes.
Boy Scouts of America
Workers And Volunteers Help Restore California Forest
NEWS ATV Public Service Announcement Contest Winners Named Young riders across America used their creativity and video skills to produce public service announcements for a chance to win a total of $8,500 in this year’s “Do the Ride Thing” competition. Elizabeth Klumpp, 15, of Edmond, Okla., won the $2,500 grand prize in the fifth annual contest to promote safe and responsible riding, sponsored by the ATV Safety Institute, Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Right Rider Access Fund. Her winning video is specifically for moms, dads and grandparents, and emphasizes the importance of supervising youth ATV riders: Supervisors really do hold the keys to ATV safety. “I am very honored to receive this award,” Klumpp says. “I really enjoyed putting together the videos. Each year gets better and better. This prize money will be very helpful to further my education after high school. It is my hope that in seeing my video, moms, dads and grandparents will understand the absolute necessity of controlling the keys. It only takes a second to prevent a life-altering injury.” The contest took place from June 1 to Aug. 15, 2014. More than 45 submissions were reviewed by a judging panel of ASI and Right Rider Access Fund staff. In addition to the grand prize winner, three ATV contestants in three age categories (6-10, 11-14 and 15-18) were awarded prizes of $500, $300 and $200. Three dirt bike category entrants who met the contest requirements were also awarded first-, second- and thirdplace prizes of $500, $300 and $200. “Youth tend to be more receptive to messages about safety when it comes from their peers,” says ASI Vice President of Rider Training Cam Arnold. “This program is designed to give youth the opportunity to use their own creativity to craft videos that teach other kids and their parents the importance of safety when riding an ATV or dirt bike. We strongly encourage trade and enthusiast media, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and youth organizations to share these winning videos.” To see the Grand Prize winner, go to www.atvsafety.org/atv_psa_contest/.
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Elizabeth Klumpp
“I am very honored to receive this award. … It is my hope that in seeing my video, moms, dads and grandparents will understand the absolute necessity of controlling the keys. It only takes a second to prevent a life-altering injury.” — Elizabeth Klumpp, Do the Ride Thing video contest Grand Prize winner
Age/Category Winners for Do the Ride Thing 2014 Ages 6-10: ATV 1. Christopher Burns, Hermitage, Tenn. 2. Madalyn Freeman, Elkins, W.Va. 3. Hannah Haller, Elkins, W.Va. Ages 11-14: ATV 1. Lily Sestak, Chandler, Okla. 2. Emilie and Natalie Burns, Hermitage, Tenn. 3. Jade Dillenbeck, Tully, N.Y. Ages 15-18: ATV 1. Alana Washington, Kansas City, Kan. 2. Jacob Laureanti, Gilbert, Ariz. 3. Katrina Kinder, Grenada, Miss. Dirt bike 1. Riley Slivka, Kelley Beird, Wes Brown, Winifred, Mont. 2. Isabel Farid, Charlotte Dorn, High Point, N.C. 3. Isabella Kinder, Grenada, Miss.
registered dirt bikes and ATVs, and the fact that most other states have long-ago established state trails with significant economic benefits. After two years of discussions between IDNR, ABATE and the AMA, the flawed Sustainability Act was renegotiated and approved to exempt certain OHV’s from collection of a $15 “tax stamp.” The IDNR delayed the April 1, 2014, implementation of the revised act’s OHV fees because the collection process is still being developed and there is a need for additional research on an OHV park. The recent meeting represents an early step in a still-lengthy trail system approval process, but a positive one for the entire Illinois OHV community.
New ATV Trail Opens In Virginia Some 31 miles of ATV trail opened in October near Pocahontas, Va., which is also near the town of Bramwell, W.Va., and the famed Hatfield-McCoy trails. Officials believe the 31 miles of trail and its proximity to the Hatfield-McCoy system will lure ATV riders to the area and help boost the local economy. The 31 miles is a branch of the Spearhead Trails, which officials hope will eventually grow into 500 miles of trail, extending throughout Tazewell County and linking to other trails.
Wisconsin ATV Association Holds VIP Tour The Wisconsin ATV-UTV Association held its second annual VIP Tour in September at Dyracuse Park in Rome, Wis., with about 100 dignitaries and others taking part. The association holds the event to educate lawmakers and others about recreational ATV riding. This, the association says, helps them make decisions about things such as approving ATV trails.
Ruff Riders ATV Club In Maine Provides Grants To Non-Profit Groups The Rough Riders ATV Club in St. Regis Falls, Maine, recently awarded $1,000 grants
news to four non-profit organizations. The grants were given to the Franklin County Recreational Trails Association, St. Regis Falls Adult Center Inc., St. Regis Falls American Legion Post 322 and St. Regis Falls Sportsmen’s Club.
Graham, Texas, Explores Creation Of ATV Park
New Jersey Town Creates Citizen Panel To Advise On New ATV Park The West Milford, N.J., council in September created a sevenmember ATV Committee made up of local citizens to advise the council on a proposed ATV park. Specifically, the panel will have input on where to create a park and how it should be operated. The volunteer panelists are yet to be appointed. The council is exploring creating an
ATVers Arrested For Riding On Federal Land Plead Not Guilty Five riders arrested for riding ATVs on federal land in Utah closed to the vehicles pleaded not guilty in federal court on Oct. 17. Their trial is expected to begin Dec. 22. If convicted, each could face up to a year and jail, a $100,000 fine and a year of probation. Each of the men, including San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman, was charged with one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to operate off-highway vehicles on public land closed to OHVs and one count of operating an OHV on public land closed to OHVs. They were among a group that rode ATVs in the off-limits Recapture Canyon in San Juan County in May of last year to protest federal government land closures to ATVs.
U.S. Bureau Of Land Management Holds Meetings On Planning Initiative The U.S. Bureau of Land Management says part of its ongoing effort to improve the management of the nation’s public lands will occur by working more efficiently with the public and
partners. It held public listening sessions in Denver and Sacramento in October on its Planning 2.0 initiative. Both meetings provided an overview of the Planning 2.0 initiative, followed by a group discussion on methods to improve the BLM’s planning process. The Planning 2.0 effort is aimed at creating a more dynamic and efficient way of developing the Resource Management Plans (RMPs) that provide the framework for the management of public lands, officials say. Congress has directed the BLM to develop RMPs under the principles of multiple-use and sustained yield and in consultation with the public and with its partners from tribal, state, and local governments and other federal agencies. RMPs provide the basis for every action the BLM takes and serve as its primary tool for providing the public a voice in the management of public lands. The initiative addresses the goals set forth in the Roadmap for Success strategic plan announced in 2011 and incorporates elements of the landscape approach into the BLM land use planning process to create a framework to allow more effective and efficient planning across landscapes, the BLM says. Specifically, the Planning 2.0 effort seeks improvements in the agency’s ability to respond to environmental and social change in a timely manner, provide for a more cooperative and collaborative planning process, and plan across landscapes and at multiple scales. The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any federal agency.
2015 ATVs
Arctic Cat Releases 2015 ATV Models Arctic Cat says its eight ATV products for the 2015 model year include seven all-new XR models designed for the sport utility ATV market segment. The XR product line features midsized engines ranging from 550cc to 700cc; new chassis, bodywork and a SpeedRack II accessories system; and a higher level of riding comfort due to easier steering, revised suspension geometry and a more comfortable rider position, the company says. Other new features for 2015 include an engine sound reduction system, a new LED/halogen lighting system and three trim packages to appeal to varied customer needs.
A new TRV 1000 XT EPS joins the touring category with more powerful engine performance. The TRV’s two-up seating allows for two people to ride the vehicle, one seated behind the other. For more info, see www.arcticcat.com.
XR700
TRV 1000 XT EPS
January/February 2015 7
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
Graham, Texas, officials are exploring using 272 acres of city land for an ATV park. The property is at the west side of Salt Creek off of SH 67 along Sewer Plant Road. Other options for the land include creating an equestrian park, a hiking park or a nature preserve. Officials planned to hold a public meeting in late October and then to accept comments for 10 days following the meeting.
ATV park so that riders have a place to ride legally.
NEWS WHERE TO RIDE
The Rockhouse Trail System was one of the first systems created in the now famous Hatfield-McCoy riding area in southwestern West Virginia. The Rockhouse Trail offers 92 miles of trail, the most in the Hatfield-McCoy system. The towns of Man and Gilbert, which are on the trail, are rider friendly. Man and Gilbert residents and businesses have opened local roads to all off-highway vehicles, which makes riding the Rockhouse Trail so enjoyable. Once you arrive at either town you can unload your ATV at the motel, campground or trailhead. It’s the only vehicle you should need for the rest of your vacation. Ride your ATV to a gas station to fill up, park in front of a restaurant or ride through the drive-up window at the local fast food joint. Rockhouse offers trails for every skill level: easy to more difficult to most difficult to extremely difficult. The easiest trails are normally wider and make for great family or group rides for riders of all abilities. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly easyto-navigate terrain you’ll find on some of the trails rated “extremely difficult.” Just around the turn they can become very steep, narrow and have large rocky sections. Four-wheel drive is strongly advised when riding in these areas.
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Heed warning signs that say: “DANGER! For Highly Experienced Riders Only! Rules: No one under age 18. No machine under 200cc. No UTV/sideby-side machines. No two-wheel-drive ATVs. EXPERT RIDERS ONLY!” There are a few motorcycle-only single-track trails—so don’t ride ATVs on these trails. The local communities offer many lodging options. Commuters can use the day-use-only lots, while overnighters can choose between private campgrounds with primitive tent camping to full hookups for RVs, cabins, B&Bs, motels and individual homes for large groups.
The entire system of trails is on private property so be sure to travel only on marked trails and honor all “No Trail” or “Do Not Enter” signs. Ignoring them could result in a ticket from law enforcement. Helmets and protective eyewear are required. ATVs must have mufflers with U.S. forest Service-approved spark arresters. Hatfield-McCoy also enforces a “no passenger” policy for ATVs that are designed only for a single operator. User permits are required for each trail user, including passengers. The cost of an annual out-of-state permit is $50. West Virginia residents pay $26.50. Permits are available online at www.trailsheaven.com, at many local businesses, at the Hatfield-McCoy Visitor Center just off state Route 119 and 19 miles south of Charleston, W.Va. Permits also may be obtained at one of the following trailheads: Rockhouse Trail in Man, W.Va., Bearwallow Trail near Logan, W.Va., Buffalo Mountain Trail between Williamson and Delbarton, W.Va., and Pinnacle Creek Trail outside Pineville, W.Va. More info: www.trailsheaven.com.
Courtesy Hatfield-McCoy Trails
Rockhouse Trail System, HatfieldMcCoy Recreation Area Man, W.Va.
they full? What color is the oil? If the oil looks like chocolate milk that means it’s contaminated with water and you should change it immediately. While you’re at it, change your engine oil and filter as well. If your ATV has a drive chain, check to see whether the sprocket teeth are showing wear. If so, order a new chain and sprocket set now. Don’t just change the chain. If everything checks out, just give the chain a good lube job per the owners manual. Pay special attention to the frame, A-arms and swingarm where two sections are welded together. If you see any little rusty lines, then you should take the ATV to a dealer or service shop for repair before the cracks get worse or the part breaks while you are riding. Next, with your ATV off the ground on jack stands or hydraulic ATV jacks, grab each front wheel at the top and bottom and check to see that wheel and A-arm bearings aren’t wobbling around. Do the same with the rear wheels, checking the swingarm and axle bearings. If in doubt, be sure to have them serviced. Your ATV tires will slowly deflate when not in use, so inflate them to their recommended level. Several jack stands under the frame will allow you
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
If you take some basic steps before putting your ATV away for the winter, it will be much easier to start and ride in the spring. First, do some major cleaning, top to bottom. That means every little nook and cranny. You’re going to need a good ATV-type cleaner, scrub brushes and some elbow grease, but it will be worth it. Make sure you wash the underside of your ATV also. Turn off the gas supply, set the parking brake and have a friend help you stand the ATV up. In most cases it should support itself on the rear grab bar or rack, but be sure to check your owners manual for directions. Once you’re done cleaning your machine, dry it off and spray everything down with a water-dispersant. This will displace those little drops of water that hide from view and will prevent rust from forming on welds and seams. Next, grab a pen and paper and carefully inspect your entire machine, writing down things that you need to fix or replace either now or in the spring. Keep the list with the ATV. Make sure the lights are operating properly, and all the wiring, levers, cables and controls are in good working order. If you have a 4x4, carefully inspect the rubber CV-joint boots for any cracks or tears. If you find anything suspicious, replace the boots (or arrange for your dealer to do this). Water trapped inside these boots will cause you heartaches later. Also, make sure you check the oil in the front and rear differentials. Are
to keep your tires off the cold or frozen ground during winter, which eliminates the sidewalls from taking a “set” and also removes any load on suspension components. Be sure to check your fuel condition or you’ll be sorry later when the carb or fuel injector gums up. One way to handle this is to add a fuel stabilizer, following the instructions. Another option for carbureted ATVs is to turn the gas off and run your engine until it starts to sputter, and then engage the choke to burn the last bits of remaining fuel. (Do this in a well-ventilated area, and not an enclosed garage.) Then, to prevent condensation and water forming in the fuel tank, drain the tank or fill it completely with stabilized fuel. Next, pay attention to your electrical components before you put your ATV away for the winter. Locate your battery, which is normally under the seat. Remove it if possible. Removed or still installed, clean the battery terminals and connect a trickle charger. An idle battery will go dead from lack of use, especially during the cold winter months, and could die for good if left uncharged too long. An inexpensive trickle charger will keep your battery working longer, and your ATV will start in the spring so you can go ride. If you have installed electrical accessories that continuously draw low current (digital display memory chips, solenoids, etc.), be sure they are disconnected from the battery source. Finally, a sturdy cover will keep dust and corrosive particulates from settling on your ATV while it is not in use, ensuring it looks as good in the spring as when you put it to bed for its winter sleep.
©iStockphoto.com/BorisJovanovic19
Winterizing Your ATV
January/February 2015 9
Big Brother Is Watching Federal Safety Agency Again Targeting ATVs and the chances of overturning, the most conclusive finding was that more information is needed. “That is why we seek your input and have issued a request for information to expand the data we have about passengers on ATVs,” the CPSC says. “The information you provide can help us as we try to determine how we might reduce ATV hazards. Comments closed on Nov. 24. Specifically, the CPSC says it was seeking information from the public “on the prevalence of carrying passengers on all-terrain vehicles and the feasibility of a performance requirement that would prevent passengers from being carried on ATVs.” The CPSC notes that since the 1980s it has addressed ATV safety through a variety of activities including rulemaking, recalls, education, media outreach and even litigation. “Despite these activities, ATV-related fatalities continue to be one of the largest categories of consumer productrelated deaths,” the agency says. “ATV safety, therefore, remains an ongoing commission concern. “Most recently, to assess the impact of passenger use of ATVs, the commission Fiscal Year 2014 Operating Plan tasked
CPSC staff with ‘assessing the inclusion of a performance standard related to preventing passengers on ATVs’in the commission’s open rulemaking on ATVs,” the agency says. “Accordingly, this request for information seeks information from stakeholders related to passenger use of ATVs,” the agency says. “CPSC staff will use information gathered from this RFI to assist in developing recommended courses of action for commission consideration as to whether a performance requirement to prevent passenger use of ATVs is appropriate. “Interested parties may provide information on the prevalence of passenger use and the reasons why passengers ride on ATVs; potential means of preventing passengers from
Arctic Cat
A federal safety agency is gathering information on ATV operators carrying passengers to see what role passengers play in crashes. That effort could lead to some major ATV design changes. Late last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission—which says it is responsible for “protecting the American public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products”—published a notice in the Federal Register seeking information regarding passenger use of ATVs. The agency says it’s gathering the information to follow up on a study it conducted. “Researchers at CPSC know that carrying a passenger on a one-person ATV creates a hazard,” the agency says. “We want to reduce this hazard, but CPSC needs your help. Our researchers want to know more about fatal and non-fatal ATV crashes and the role of passengers.” “A recent CPSC study found interesting evidence about age, gender and location of ATV riders involved in reported, fatal ATV accidents,” it says. “Although the study was not able to identify a significant relationship between the number of ATV passengers
10 January/February 2015
Can-Am
the fatally injured party in these incidents (52.7 percent of incidents). Additionally, the driver and passenger both died in 7.4 percent of incidents. • When the passenger was not on the seat, was held by driver/on the driver’s lap, or was on the seat in the front of the driver, it was more likely that the passenger was the fatally injured rider. The study says that the second most common scenario of multi-rider fatal incidents had more than two riders (an operator and two or more passengers) involved in a single ATV incident. Of the 502 incidents, 53 (10.6 percent) fell into this category. The study found that: • In this scenario, most incidents involved three riders on an ATV (81.1 percent). • A passenger was more likely than the driver to be the fatally injured rider (67.4 percent of incidents resulted in a passenger’s death; 27.9 percent of incidents resulted in the operator’s death; and 4.7 percent in the operator’s and a passenger’s deaths). This differs from the tworider scenario. • The distribution of incidents across the driver’s age group showed higher proportions of drivers in younger age groups than in the tworider scenario. • Three on the seat (multiple configurations) and unknown locations were the most common passenger locations. • In 16 incidents, the passengers were on the seat with the operator (11 incidents had both passengers behind the operator, and five incidents had one passenger in front of the operator and one behind). • In seven incidents, neither passenger was on the seat. In all seven incidents, one passenger was on the
left rear fender, and one passenger was on the right rear fender. • In one incident, one passenger was on the seat in front of the operator, and one passenger was held by the driver or in the operator’s lap. • One incident had a passenger in front of the operator, but it is unknown where the second passenger was located. • When the number of riders was four, five, or six, there were several different riding configurations, with passengers on and off of the seat, and several passengers with an unknown riding location. Finally, the study notes, “the driver was most likely to be the fatally injured rider in this data set. In incidents that resulted in only a passenger’s death, it is possible that the driver would have died instead of the passenger in the event that the passenger was not present.” In October 2012, the CPSC sponsored an ATV Safety Summit in Bethesda, Md., and one topic of discussion involved roll bars for ATVs. While roll bars had their supporters, they also have a major critic: the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. The SVIA is a manufacturers’ organization and the American National Standards Institute-accredited standards-developing organization for the four-wheel ATV. In 1998, the CPSC staff met with ATV manufacturers and other engineers, and a forum was held on ATVs to discuss what measures, if any, could be taken to reduce ATV injuries and deaths. The commission didn’t recommend roll bars or cages at that time or in 2003 in public forums on ATV safety. In the past, the CPSC also has held extensive hearings on the safety of ATVs and has rejected calls for an outright ban, although the agency has banned three-wheelers as unsafe.
January/February 2015 11
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
being carried on ATVs not intended for that purpose; and potential impacts of these requirements on the utility of ATVs,” the agency states. “Interested parties also may provide information on possible changes to ATV design that may prevent passenger use, and information on whether these changes could be translated into a performance standard.” The AMA doesn’t believe the federal agency should push for the redesign of single-seat ATVs or a ban on passengers riding on ATVs designed for two riders. Whether or not a passenger can be carried on an ATV should be determined by the vehicle’s design, the AMA says. ATV operators should follow the operating recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer. The study the CPSC refers to is called “A Pilot Study of Fatal ATV-Related Incidents Involving Passengers.” It was conducted by CPSC staff and released in August 2014. The study notes that the CPSC staff received reports of 2,454 ATV-related fatalities from 2005 through 2007. Of these, 536 fatalities were identified as related to an ATV with more than one rider. These fatalities represent 502 incidents. The CPSC staff then analyzed these 502 incidents for passenger location on the ATV, rider characteristics and incident characteristics. Key findings of the study include: • The most common scenario of multirider fatal incidents involved two riders (an operator and a passenger) in an incident involving one ATV. A total of 419 (83.5 percent) incidents fell into this category. • A majority of passengers may have been on the seat behind the driver, but this can’t be concluded from the fatality reports. • In 45.6 percent of incidents, the passenger was reported to be on the seat behind the driver. • In 29.6 percent of incidents, the location of the passenger was not reported. • In 68 incidents (16.2 percent), the passenger was behind the driver, but it was unknown if the passenger was on the seat with the driver. • In 36 incidents (8.6 percent), the passenger was on the back of the ATV, but not on the seat; was in front of the driver; was held by the driver or on the driver’s lap; was in a passenger seat; or was standing on the ATV. • The driver was most likely to be
RACING
Chris Borich Earns 2014 GNCC Championship With Final Round Win However, in true Borich fashion, he kicked it up a notch on the final lap and the duo swapped lead positions several times as they encountered everything from lapped traffic to deep mud and even the occasional tree. Fowler led the way into the final
sections of the Ironman motocross track, but Borich positioned himself to make a last-minute pass for the lead. The two riders flew side-by-side over the final motocross jump and with only a couple corners left to go, Borich inched his way into the lead where he held
Ken Hill
It came down to the 13th and final round of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, presented by Maxxis, in Crawfordsville, Ind., on Oct. 25 to decide the XC1 ATV national champion in the AMA National Championship series. In the XC1 class, Chris Borich beat Walker Fowler to retain the title in a dramatic race to the finish. In the support class, Cole Richardson came away with his first career XC2 ATV title after a hard-fought, season-long battle with SICC Racing/Maxxis-backed Marshal Goings. The Pro event featured an all-out drag race to the finish won by Team Maxxis’ Borich over N-Fab AmPro Yamaha/ Lonestar/Maxxis/MXP’s Fowler to win the race and the title. As the green flag dropped for the highly anticipated finale, Fowler wasted no time in making his way to the front. Despite a bad jump off the start, Borich quickly jumped into second close behind the Yamaha rider. Fowler commanded the lead for a majority of the two-hour race, while Borich took a more veteran approach in applying pressure from behind.
L to R: Walker Fowler, Chris Borich, Adam McGill 12 January/February 2015
ATVRiders.com
Walker Fowler
Ken Hill
“I kind of thought it was over for a minute but I just put my head down and kept pushing. I doubled up the triple and I thought I threw it away on the outside line, but we came together at the bottom and it was a drag race to the next corner. I knew since I was little bit ahead of him that I’d be able to take it into the finish.”
— Chris Borich
AMA ATV GNCC XC1 ATV Results, Crawfordsville, Ind., Round 13 of 13 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Chris Borich, Suzuki Walker Fowler, Yamaha Adam McGill, Honda Jarrod McClure, Honda Brycen Neal, Honda Kevin Yoho, Yamaha Jay Shadron, Yamaha Chad Wienen, Yamaha Johnny Gallagher, Yamaha 10. Landon Wolfe, Yamaha
Borich admits that the weeks leading up to the finale weren’t easy, especially following a six-round winless streak, but the six-time champion maintained his focus through the final round. “There were three long weeks where we were just sitting there tied for points and couldn’t do anything about it. I was on the bike pretty much every day for an hour and that’s when I started having fun,” he added. “I have to thank my friends for pushing me during that time.” RacingPowersports.com/CST Tires/ PirateMX.com’s Adam McGill put in a solid ride to finish third overall for the day, giving the West Virginia native third place in the championship standings. The XC2 Pro-Am Championship battle was exciting as rookies Cole
AMA GNCC XC1 ATV Final Championship Standings 1. Chris Borich (308) 2. Walker Fowler (303) 3. Adam McGill (250) 4. Jarrod McClure (212) 5. Cole Richardson (172) 6. Brycen Neal (159) 7. Chris Bithell (157) 8. Marshal Goings (140) 9. Jay Shadron (135) 10. Braden Henthorn (123) 11. Brian Wolf (123)
Richardson and Marshal Goings entered the season finale tied in championship points. While Richardson grabbed the official holeshot, Indiana’s Goings held the early advantage. The duo battled it out during the first half of the fourlap race, but it was Richardson who prevailed in the end to capture his first career Pro-Am championship with a big victory at the final round. N-Fab AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/ Maxxis/MXP’s Richardson rounded out the season with eight victories behind him, while SICC Racing/Maxxis’ Goings put forth a solid performance with five wins to finish only five points away from the championship position. “Winning the championship has always been my dream and I couldn’t be happier right now,” Richardson says.
AMA ATV GNCC XC2 ATV Results, Crawfordsville, Ind., Round 13 of 13 1. Cole Richardson, Yamaha 2. Marshal Goings, Honda 3. Martin Christofferson, Honda 4. Ryland Johnson, Honda 5. Nathan Wallpe, Honda 6. Fred Marley, Honda 7. Randy Hamilton, Honda 8. Blake Tornes, Yamaha 9. Matt Hanna, Yamaha 10. Luke Upah, Honda
AMA GNCC XC2 ATV Final Championship Standings 1. Cole Richardson (340) 2. Marshal Goings (335) 3. Martin Christofferson (239) 4. Randy Hamilton (188) 5. Fred Marley (179) 6. James Green (165) 7. Jonathan Fugate (148) 8. Thomas Koontz (143) 9. Blake Kramer (142) 10. Luke Upah (132)
January/February 2015 13
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
Fowler off until the finish. “I kind of thought it was over for a minute but I just put my head down and kept pushing,” Borich says. “I doubled up the triple and I thought I threw it away on the outside line but we came together at the bottom and it was a drag race to the next corner. I knew since I was little bit ahead of him that I’d be able to take it into the finish.” Fowler came across the finish only two-tenths of a second behind Borich, despite a valiant charge in the final moments of the two-hour battle. “I knew that last lap was going to be cut throat, he’s a six-time champ now for a reason,” Fowler says. “The amount of times we were rubbing and bouncing off each other was insane, but it wasn’t anything out of control. It was controlled chaos, and it was just so cool.”
MARKETPLACE
ITP’s New ‘Hurricane’ Wheel The new “Hurricane,” the first wheel in ITP’s new “Storm Series” product line, features eight sets of X-shaped wheel spokes and an ITP exclusive “Rock Armor” inner wheel lip to provide what the company says is unequalled structural integrity. The Hurricane boasts a 1,200-pound load rating and is backed by the company’s lifetime structural warranty. ITP credits the new wheel’s exceptional strength to the interlacing of the center spokes in an X-shaped pattern, the same configuration that’s been used in building construction for thousands of years. The proprietary ITP Rock Armor inner wheel lip, which is designed to guard the sidewall of the tire against rocks and debris, provides additional tire protection. MSRP: 12x7-inch $99.86, 14x7 $122.72, 15x7 $126.53. Info: www.itptires.com
For true champions, winning the AMA No. 1 plate isn’t everything...
It takes a lot for an ATV or motorcycle racer to earn the prestigious AMA No. 1 plate: a lot of talent, a lot of courage, a lot of determination. After all, the best racers in America are all chasing the dream: to hoist the AMA No. 1 plate above their head at the end of race day. Many try. Few succeed. There’s no greater challenge for an ATV or motorcycle racer. And there’s no sweeter victory for the winner. The AMA No. 1 plate proves that the racer went head-tohead against the best of the best, and won. No explanation needed. Whether racing as an amateur or a pro, the AMA No. 1 plate represents an incredible accomplishment that can never be taken away. One for the AMA record books. There’s nothing better.
AmericanMotorcyclist.com
...it’s the only thing.
Garmin’s Handheld GPSMAP 64
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
Garmin’s GPSMAP 64 is a rugged, full-featured handheld system that features a 2.6-inch sunlight-readable color screen that supports BirdsEye Satellite Imagery and Garmin Custom Maps. Rugged and waterproof, GPSMAP 64 comes with a built-in worldwide basemap with shaded relief, so you can navigate anywhere with ease. With photo navigation, you can download geotagged pictures from the Internet and navigate to them. With its quad helix antenna and high-sensitivity, GPS and GLONASS receiver, GPSMAP 64 locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its location even in heavy cover and deep canyons. The advantage is clear — whether you’re in deep woods or just near tall trees, you can count on GPSMAP 64 to help you find your way when you need it the most. MSRP: $299.99 Info: www.garmin.com
Can-Am’s Winter Riding Jacket It’s easy to enjoy winter riding when you are dressed for the ride. Can-Am has you covered with its Winter Riding Jacket that features RPM MAX waterproof, windproof and breathable technology; sealed seams and logos; a front flap with insulated under flap designed for off-highway riding; and windproofing and shaped elbows with expandable gussets for ease of movement. The jacket also features inside front and back panels lined with micro-fleece to add warmth and comfort, micropolyester at the collar and microfleece integrated inner wrists, plus a powder skirt to keep the wind, cold and snow from entering. Colors: yellow or black. Sizes: M, MT, L, LT, XL, XLT, 2XL, 3XL. MSRP: $309.99 Info: store.can-am.brp.com
CALENDAR CALIFORNIA
EUROPEAN SCRAMBLES DEC 7: IMPERIAL: ROADRUNNER OFF-ROAD RACING CLUB, (760) 275-9852, AMAD38.COM GRAND PRIX DEC 6: LAKE ELSINORE: 2 DAY EVENT, VIKINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, (909) 980-4945, VIKINGSMC.COM HARE & HOUND FEB 21: BARSTOW: 2 DAY EVENT, CHECKERS MC, (909) 289-1040, CHECKERSMC.COM
NEW YORK
MUD & SNOW SCRAMBLES DEC 14: PORT CRANE: SQUARE DEAL RIDERS M/C, (607) 693-2634, SQUAREDEALRIDERS. COM
January/February 2015 15
Harlen Foley/ATVRiders.com
Chad Wienen AMA Member
Where Riders Belong W
hat do Chad Wienen, Thomas Brown and Josh Creamer have in common? They’re members of the American Motorcyclist Association. You don’t need to be an AMA Pro ATVMX super star to be an ATV rider of the AMA. You can join just to support the sport and be a part of a national grassroots movement of riders who fight anti-ATVing forces to protect your freedom to ride and race. It’s where riders belong. With an AMA membership you get a special ATV affinity card, ATV News and American Motorcyclist magazine, hundreds of dollars in discounts, and AMA Roadside Assistance at no cost*. Most of all, you’ll stand with Chad, Thomas and Josh to protect the sport we all love and safeguard it for future generations. AMA is where you belong. Join us.
Join at AmericanMotorcyclist.com or (800) AMA-JOIN *Restrictions apply.